Method and apparatus for providing deferrable data services in a cellular communication system

ABSTRACT

A communication system, upon receiving an instruction to transfer deferrable data, determines whether an air interface is congested and, when the air interface is congested, defers a transfer of the deferrable data or transfers the deferrable, lower priority data as higher priority data. When, during a transfer of deferrable data, the system determines that the air interface is congested, the system may terminate the call and save a state of a partially completed deferred data transfer. Subsequent to the termination of the call, the system establishes another data connection over the air interface and transfers any remaining, not yet transferred deferrable data. In order to discourage subscribers from transferring higher priority data as lower priority data, the system may further restrict a transfer of lower priority data to designated time periods while allowing a transfer of higher priority data during the designated time periods and other time periods.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to cellular communicationsystems, and, in particular, to a provision of deferrable data servicesin a cellular communication system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As cellular service providers upgrade their networks to the newgeneration systems, such as 2.5G (2.5 Generation) and 3G systems, thenetworks can provide data services that could not be provided by theolder systems. For example, the 2.5G and 3G systems are able totransport photographs and provide email services, such as email withattachments, which could not be provided by the predecessor systems.However, such data services consume a great deal of bandwidth, which isa limited, and as a result an expensive, resource.

In order to provide reasonable customer service, cellular serviceproviders must have sufficient bandwidth to meet peak load demands. Withthe additional data services made possible by 2.5G and 3G systems,cellular service providers may not have sufficient bandwidth availableto meet peak load demands or may have to acquire additional bandwidth atgreat, and possibly prohibitive, expense. A result is diminishedcustomer service or excessive corporate debt load. However, amplebandwidth is available if the data services may be shifted to off loadperiods. For example, in a typical wireless communication system,average utilization of radio frequency (RF) bandwidth is low, commonlyin a range of 35 percent (%) to 65 percent (%). However, instantaneousRF bandwidth utilization during peak load time periods may beconsiderably higher and can approach 100 percent (%), while off load RFbandwidth utilization may be considerably lower, at times 10 percent (%)or less.

Therefore, a need exists for a method and apparatus that shifts aprovision of data services by cellular service providers to off loadperiods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless communication system inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a logic flow diagram of a provision of deferrable dataservices by the wireless communication system of FIG. 1 in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a logic flow diagram of a provision of an overhead message bya Radio Access Network of FIG. 1 to a mobile station of FIG. 1 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a logic flow diagram of a provision of deferrable dataservices by the wireless communication system of FIG. 1 in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a logic flow diagram of a provision by the communicationsystem of FIG. 1 of restrictions on a transfer of deferrable data inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6A is a logic flow diagram of a process by which the communicationsystem of FIG. 1 processes a deferrable data call in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6B is a continuation of the logic flow diagram of FIG. 6A of aprocess by which the communication system of FIG. 1 processes adeferrable data call in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 is a logic flow diagram of an early termination process executedby the communication system of FIG. I in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

To address the need for a method and an apparatus that shifts aprovision of data services by cellular service providers to off loadperiods, a communication system is provided wherein, when an instructionto transfer deferrable data is received, the system determines whetheran air interface is congested and, when the air interface is congested,defers a transfer of the deferrable data or transfers the deferrable,lower priority data as higher priority data. When, during a transfer ofdeferrable data, the communication system determines that the airinterface is congested, the communication system may terminate the calland save a state of a partially completed deferred data transfer.Subsequent to the termination of the call, the system establishesanother data connection over the air interface and transfers anyremaining, not yet transferred deferrable data over the established dataconnection. In order to discourage system subscribers from transferringhigher priority data as lower priority data, the communication systemmay further restrict a transfer of lower priority data to designatedtime periods while allowing a transfer of higher priority data duringthe designated time periods and other time periods.

Generally, an embodiment of the present invention encompasses a methodfor transferring deferrable data in a wireless communication system. Themethod includes receiving an instruction to transfer deferrable data,determining whether an air interface is congested; and when the airinterface is congested, deferring a transfer of the deferrable data.

Another embodiment of the present invention encompasses a method fortransferring deferrable data in a wireless communication system. Themethod includes receiving an instruction to transfer deferrable data,wherein the deferrable data is data of a first priority, determiningthat an air interface is congested, and, in response to determining thatthe air interface is congested, transferring the deferrable data as dataof a second priority.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention encompasses a method fortransferring deferrable data in a wireless communication system. Themethod includes engaging in a call involving a mobile station and atransfer of deferrable data via a first data connection over an airinterface, determining that the air interface is congested, and, inresponse to determining that the air interface is congested, terminatingthe call and saving a state of a partially completed deferred datatransfer in the mobile station. The method further includes, subsequentto terminating the call, establishing a second data connection over theair interface and transferring any remaining, not yet transferreddeferrable data over the second data connection.

Still another embodiment of the present invention encompasses a mobilestation capable of transferring deferrable data in a wirelesscommunication system. The mobile station includes at least one memorydevice capable of storing deferrable data. The mobile station furtherincludes a processor associated with the at least one memory device thatreceives an instruction to transfer deferrable data, determines whetheran air interface is congested, defers a transfer of the deferrable datawhen the air interface is congested, and transfers the deferrable datawhen the air interface is not congested.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention encompasses a mobilestation capable of transferring deferrable data in a wirelesscommunication system. The mobile station includes at least one memorydevice that stores deferrable data. The mobile station further includesa processor associated with the at least one memory device that receivesan instruction to transfer deferrable data, wherein the deferrable datais data of a first priority, determines that an air interface iscongested, and, in response to determining that the air interface iscongested, transfers the deferrable data as data of a second priority.

Still another embodiment of the present invention encompasses a mobilestation capable of transferring deferrable data in a wirelesscommunication system. The mobile station includes at least one memorydevice capable of storing deferrable data. The mobile station furtherincludes a processor associated with the at least one memory device,wherein the processor is capable of establishing a first data connectionover an air interface, engaging in a call involving a transfer of thedeferrable data via the first data connection, determining that the airinterface is congested, in response to determining that the airinterface is congested, terminating the call, storing a state of apartially completed transfer in the mobile station in the at least onememory device, subsequent to terminating the call, establishing a seconddata connection over the air interface, and transferring any remaining,not yet transferred deferrable data over the second data connection.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention encompasses an apparatusfor transferring deferrable data in a wireless communication system. Theapparatus comprises a controller in a radio access network having atleast one memory device that stores instructions on assembling anoverhead message having a deferrable data permission data field and aprocessor associated with the at least one memory device that assemblesthe overhead message, embeds data in the deferrable data permission datafield that informs whether transfer of deferrable data is permitted, andconveys the overhead message to a mobile station.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention encompasses a method fortransferring data in a wireless communication system, wherein the datacomprises a higher priority data and a lower priority data. The methodincludes restricting a transfer of the lower priority data to aplurality of designated time periods and allowing a transfer of thehigher priority data during the plurality of designated time periods andother time periods

The present invention may be more fully described with reference toFIGS. 1-7. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless communication system100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.Communication system 100 includes at least one mobile station (MS) 102in wireless communication with a Radio Access Network (RAN) 112. RAN 112includes at least one transceiver 114 that is operably coupled to acontroller 116. Communication system 100 further includes a support node126, such as a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) or a Packet Data SupportNode (PDSN), that is operably coupled to RAN 112 and that is furthercoupled to a billing system 150 that includes an Authentication,Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) server (not shown). RAN 112 andsupport node 126 are collectively referred to as a wirelessinfrastructure 110. As is known in the art, RAN 112 may include elementssuch as a Base Transceiver Station (BTS), a Base Station Controller(BSC), and a Packet Control Unit (PCU) or a Packet Control Function(PCF). When a RAN, such as RAN 112, includes such elements, controller116 may be included in any one of such elements or may be distributedamong such elements.

RAN 112 provides communications services to mobile stations, such as MS102, located in a coverage area serviced by the RAN via an air interface128. Air interface 128 comprises a forward link 130 and a reverse link135 that each includes multiple communication channels. Preferably,forward link 130 includes a paging channel 131, at least one forwardlink signaling channel 132, and at least one forward link trafficchannel 133. Preferably, reverse link 135 includes a reverse link accesschannel 136, at least one reverse link signaling channel 137, and atleast one reverse link traffic channel 138.

Each of MS 102 and controller 116 includes a respective processor 106,118, such as one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, digitalsignal processors (DSPs), combinations thereof or such other devicesknown to those having ordinary skill in the art. Each of MS 102 andcontroller 116 further includes a respective one or more memory devices108, 120 associated with the respective processor, such as random accessmemory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and/or read onlymemory (ROM) or equivalents thereof, that store data and programs thatmay be executed by the respective processor and allow the processor tooperate in communication system 100.

Each of memory devices 108, 120, further stores multiple Service Option(SO) values, such as an SO value corresponding to ‘normal’ data, forexample, SO 0×0021 (that is, ‘33’ in a hexadecimal representation), andan SO value corresponding to ‘deferrable’ data, for example, SO 0×801B.In addition to, or instead of, storing SO values, each of memory devices108, 120, may store multiple Quality of Service (QoS) parameters. Afirst set of QoS parameters of the multiple QoS parameters correspondsto desired quality of service for transfer of data of a first priority,that is, lower priority data such as ‘deferrable’ data. A second set ofQoS parameters of the multiple QoS parameters corresponds to a desiredquality of service for transfer of data of a second priority, that is,higher priority data such as ‘normal’ data.

MS 102 further includes a user interface 104 that is coupled toprocessor 106. User interface 104 provides a user of the MS with thecapability of interacting with the MS, including inputting instructionsinto the MS. In one embodiment of the present invention, user interface104 includes a display screen and a keypad. In another embodiment of thepresent invention, the display screen of user interface 104 includes atouch screen capable of determining a position (i.e., an X-coordinateand a Y-coordinate) of a user's touch and conveying the position data toprocessor 106. Based on the position data, processor 106 then translatesthe user's touch into an instruction. In still another embodiment of thepresent invention, user interface 104 may further include a camera or aninterface capable of coupling to a camera that respectively records orreceives photographic data. MS 102 then digitally stores thephotographic data in memory devices 108.

Preferably, communication system 100 is a Code Division Multiple Access(CDMA) communication system that operates in accordance with the 3GPP2(Third Generation Partnership Project 2) and TIA/EIA (TelecommunicationsIndustry Association/Electronic Industries Association) IS-2000standards, which provide a compatibility standard for cdma2000,including IS-2000 air interfaces and which standards are herebyincorporated herein in their entirety. The standards specify wirelesstelecommunications system operating protocols, including radio systemparameters and call processing procedures. In communication system 100,the communication channels of forward link 130 or reverse link 135, suchas access channels, control channels, paging channels, and trafficchannels, comprise orthogonal codes, such as Walsh Codes, that aretransmitted in a same frequency bandwidth. However, those who are ofordinary skill in the art realize that communication system 100 mayoperate in accordance with any wireless telecommunication system, suchas but not limited to a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM)communication system, a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)communication system, a Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA)communication system, or an Orthogonal Frequency Division MultipleAccess (OFDM) communication system.

In order to maximize radio frequency (RF) bandwidth utilization,communication system 100 provides for a delaying a transfer of‘deferrable’ data during high load or peak load periods, when bandwidthutilization is high, to off load periods when bandwidth utilization islow. Communication system 100 may further maximize capacity by havingusers that are in high RF cost environments defer their data transfers.Examples of high RF cost environments include users who require morepower on the forward link and/or more soft handoff legs (more Walshcode, traffic channel modem and backhaul usage). By delaying thetransmission of deferrable data, peak loads may be reduced and off peakbandwidth utilization may be improved.

FIG. 2 is a logic flow diagram 200 illustrating a provision ofdeferrable data services by communication system 100 in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention. Logic flow diagram 200 begins(202) when MS 102 receives (204) an instruction to transfer deferrabledata to or from infrastructure 110. For example, a user of MS 102 maycompose an electronic mail (email) message and attach a lengthy documentto the message, then instruct the MS to transfer the message anddocument by depressing a key on a keyboard of user interface 104 or byselecting an icon or text message in a display screen of the userinterface. By way of another example, MS 102 may take a photograph,store the photograph in memory devices 108, and then receive aninstruction to transfer the photograph, again by the user selecting anappropriate key, icon, or text message in user interface 104. By way ofyet another example, MS 102 may receive a notification frominfrastructure 110 that a download is pending or may receive aninstruction from a user of the MS to download a file from theinfrastructure. Infrastructure 110 may notify the MS of the pendingdownload via a short message service (SMS) message or via a pagingmessage conveyed to the MS via paging channel 131. By way of yet anotherexample, MS 102 may have subscribed to certain news or other informationservice being delivered to its phone each day - prior to the userscommute time.

Typically, communication systems such as communication system 100initiate transfers of ‘normal’ data immediately upon receipt of arequest for a transfer of the data. In contrast, the ‘deferrable’ datareferred to herein, such as ‘Background Class’ data as defined in the3GPP2 standards, can tolerate significant delays, for example delays aslong as one (1) hour, before initiating a transfer of the data. Thisdelay is different than simply identifying more delay tolerant trafficand then giving the identified traffic lower data rates. This delayconcerns a delay of the actual initiation of a connection, that is, aradio frequency (RF) link. By delaying the initiation of a connection,communication system 100 is able to increase system capacity since, in atypical CDMA communication system, for every second that a connection(RF link) is held up approximately 3 kilobits per second (Kbps) of otherusers' bearer data is displaced.

In response to receiving the instruction, MS 102 determines (206)whether air interface 128 is congested, in which event transfers ofdeferrable data, that is, low priority data, are blocked, that is, notpermitted. In one embodiment of the present invention, MS 102 determineswhether air interface 128 is too congested by monitoring a forward link130, preferably signaling channel 132, to determine whether the MS maytransmit the deferrable data. In such an embodiment, RAN 112, preferablycontroller 116 via transceiver 114, transmits an overhead message 140over signaling channel 132 that informs whether deferrable data may betransmitted by the MSs, such as MS 102, serviced by the RAN. Unlessotherwise specified herein, the functions performed herein by MS 102 areperformed by processor 106 of MS 102 and the functions performed hereinby controller 116 are performed by processor 118 of controller 116.

FIG. 3 is a logic flow diagram 300 of a provision of overhead message140 by RAN 112 to MS 102 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. Logic flow diagram 300 begins (302) when RAN 112, preferablycontroller 116, determines (304) that air interface 128 is congested.For example, RAN 112 may determine that air interface 128 is congestedbased on a number of traffic channels currently assigned to MSs in thecoverage area serviced by the RAN. By way of another example, RAN 112may determine that air interface 128 is congested and/or in a higher RFcost location (power consuming) based on a signal quality metric, suchas a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), a carrier-to-interference ratio (C/I),a received signal strength, or a bit error ratio (BER), determined forsignals received from each MS currently engaged in a communicationsession with the RAN. In yet another example, the signal quality metricsmay be determined by each MS serviced by RAN 112 and then transmitted bythe MS to the RAN. RAN 112, preferably controller 116, compares eachdetermined signal quality metric to a corresponding signal qualitymetric threshold that is stored in one or more memory devices 120. Whena designated number of determined signal quality metrics compareunfavorably with their corresponding signal quality metric thresholds,RAN 112, preferably processor 118, may determine that air interface 128is congested. A quantity of assigned channels or unfavorable comparisonsthat constitutes congestion depends on system design, such as a size ofa coverage area, a number of traffic channels available in a coveragearea, and a location of the MSs in the coverage area, and may bedetermined based on a threshold set by a system designer and is notspecified herein as it is not critical to the present invention.

Upon determining that air interface 128 is congested, RAN 112,preferably controller 116, assembles (306) overhead message 140.Overhead message 140 includes a deferrable data permission data field142 that informs whether transmission of deferrable data is permitted.For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, overheadmessage 140 may comprise a modified access parameters message or amodified extended access parameters message. Access parameters messagesare well-known in the art and are described in detail in the TIA/EIAIS-2000.5-A standard, sections 3.7.2.3.2.2 and 3.7.2.3.2.33. Incommunication system 100, an access parameters message or an extendedaccess parameters message is modified to include a deferrable datapermission data field 142, such as an ACCT (Access Control Based on CallType) data field that is associated with deferrable data.

RAN 112, preferably controller 116, then embeds (308) a value indeferrable data permission data field 142 that informs whethertransmission of deferrable data is permitted. Preferably, communicationsystem 100 assigns a unique Service Option (SO) value to deferrable dataservice, such as an SO value of 0×801B, so that a bit embedded indeferrable data permission data field 142, such as an ACCT data fieldcorresponding to SO 0×801B, informs MS 102 whether the MS is permittedto transmit deferrable data, that is, SO 0×801B data, to RAN 112. Forexample, an embedded value of ‘0’ may inform that transmission ofdeferrable data is permitted and an embedded value of ‘1’ may informthat transmission of deferrable data is not permitted, that is, isblocked. However, those who are of ordinary skill in the art realizethat any unassigned Service Option value may be used herein inassociation with deferrable data without departing from the spirit andscope of the present invention.

RAN 112, preferably controller 116, then conveys (310) overhead message140, via transceiver 114 and air interface 128, to MS 102 and logic flow300 ends (312). By use of deferrable data permission data field 142, RAN112 is able to block a transfer of deferrable data by MSs serviced bythe RAN. By reference to deferrable data permission data field 142 ofoverhead message 140, MS 102 is then able to determine whether airinterface 128 is congested with the result that transfers of deferrabledata are not permitted, that is, are blocked.

Referring again to FIG. 2, in another embodiment of the presentinvention, instead of utilizing an overhead message, step 206 maycomprise self-determining, by MS 102, whether air interface 128 iscongested and transfers of deferrable data are blocked. Inself-determining a congestion level of air interface 128, MS 102determines a signal quality metric corresponding to the air interface.For example, MS 102 may determine a signal quality metric by determiningany one or more of a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), acarrier-to-interference ratio (C/I), a received signal strength, or abit error ratio (BER) for signals received by the MS from RAN 112 viaforward link 130, such as pilot signals or control signals. Many signalquality metrics are known in the art and those who are of ordinary skillin the art realize that any such signal quality metric may be usedherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

MS 102 then compares the determined SNR, C/I, received signal strength,or BER to a corresponding signal quality threshold, such as acorresponding SNR, C/I, received signal strength, or BER threshold,stored in memory devices 108 of the MS. When the determined signalquality metric compares unfavorably with the corresponding threshold,then the MS may assume that air interface 128 is congested and transfersof deferrable data are blocked. When the determined signal qualitymetric compares favorably with the corresponding threshold, then the MSmay assume that air interface 128 is not congested and that the MS maytransmit deferrable data over the air interface.

When MS 102 determines (206) that air interface 128 is not congested,for example that deferrable data is not blocked or a determined signalquality metric compares favorably with a corresponding threshold, MS 102generates (208) and conveys (210) to infrastructure 110 a request toinitiate a data call. Preferably, the request comprises a callorigination message, preferably a Layer 3 call origination message thatincludes a Service Option (SO) data field in which MS 102 embeds an SOvalue associated with the data call. In one embodiment of the present,MS 102 embeds a SO value corresponding to a traditional data call, thatis, ‘0×0021,’ in the SO data field. In another embodiment of thepresent, MS 102 embeds a SO value corresponding to a deferrable datacall, such as a value of 0×801B, in the SO data field. MS 102 thenconveys the call origination message to infrastructure 104 via reverselink access channel, that is, access channel 136. Call originationmessages are used by an MS to establish a connection with aninfrastructure, are well-known in the art, and are described in detailin the TIA/EIA IS-2000.5-A standard, section 2.7.1.3.2.4 and2.7.1.3.2.5.

Upon receiving (212) the request to initiate a data call, infrastructure110, preferably controller 116 of RAN 112, negotiates (214) a set up ofa data call and establishes a data connection with MS 102, including anRF link over a forward link traffic channel 133 if data is beingtransferred from infrastructure 110 to MS 102 or over a reverse linktraffic channel 138 if data is being transferred from MS 102 toinfrastructure 110, in accordance with well-known call set upprocedures. The deferrable data is then transferred (216) by MS 102 toinfrastructure 110 or by infrastructure 110 to MS 102 over theestablished data connection and the logic flow ends (224).

In another embodiment of the present invention, in order to minimize aloading of air interface 128, MS 102 and RAN 112 may further terminate(218), that is, tear down, the established RF link nearly immediatelyafter conveying the deferrable data. In such an embodiment, MS 102and/or RAN 112 may include a respective inactivity timer 109, 122 thatis respectively coupled to processor 106 and controller 116. Uponconveyance of the deferrable data by MS 102 or RAN 112, the conveyor102, 112 of the data starts respective inactivity timer 109, 122. Uponexpiration of a short, predetermined inactivity time period aftercompletion of the transfer of the deferrable data, that is, a timeperiod during which the conveyor of data does not receive or convey anyfurther data, as determined by the conveyor's processor 106, 118 withreference to the respective inactivity timer 109, 122, the conveyorinitiates a termination, that is, a tear down, of the established RFlink.

When MS 102 determines (206) that air interface 128 is congested, forexample, that deferrable data is blocked or a determined signal qualitymetric compares unfavorably with a corresponding threshold, the MSdelays, that is, defers, (220) transfer of the data and continues tomonitor (222) air interface 128. Upon continued monitoring, when MS 102determines (206) that air interface 128 is no longer congested, andcorrespondingly that transfers of deferrable data are permitted, the MSgenerates (208) and conveys (210) to infrastructure 100 a request toinitiate a data call. Upon receiving (212) the request, infrastructure110, preferably RAN 112, negotiates (214) a set up of a data call andestablishes a data connection with MS 102 in accordance with well-knowncall set up procedures. The deferrable data is then transferred (216) byMS 102 to infrastructure 110 or by infrastructure 110 to MS 102 over theestablished data connection and the logic flow ends (224).

In one embodiment of the present invention, wherein MS 102 monitorssignaling channel 132 for overhead message 140, when the MS determines(206) that air interface 128 is congested then the MS continues tomonitor the signaling channel 132 for subsequent overhead messages 140intended for the MS. Based on each subsequent overhead message, MS 102determines whether deferrable data continues to be blocked. In order toconserve battery power, the MS may suspend receiving messages and/ormonitoring of air interface 128 (for example, go to sleep) afterreceiving and interpreting an overhead message 140 blocking deferrabledata, and later resume receiving messages and/or monitoring of airinterface 128 (for example, wake up) in order to receive and interpret asubsequent overhead message 140. However, the present invention does notrequire that the MS suspend receiving and/or monitoring betweenmessages, or that the MS receive each message until deferrable databecomes unblocked.

In another embodiment of the present invention, wherein MS 102determines that air interface 128 is congested based on signal qualitymetrics, when the MS determines (206) that air interface 128 iscongested then the MS continues to determine signal quality metrics withrespect to signals received by the MS from RAN 112. MS 102 then compareseach determined signal quality metric to the corresponding signalquality threshold. So long as the determined signal quality metriccompares unfavorably with the corresponding threshold, MS 102 maycontinue to assume that air interface 128 is congested and thattransfers of deferrable data are blocked. Similar to the determinationof congestion based on overhead message 140, in order to conservebattery power, the MS may suspend receiving messages and/or monitoringof air interface 128 after receiving each such signal and determining,based on the received signal, that air interface 128 continues to becongested. MS 102 may subsequently resume receiving messages and/ormonitoring of air interface 128 in order to receive and interpret asucceeding signal.

By deferring a transfer of ‘deferrable’ data when air interface 128 iscongested, MS 102 defers a transfer of ‘deferrable’ data from high loador peak load periods, when bandwidth utilization is high or when RFcosts are high, to off load periods when bandwidth utilization is low.By deferring a transfer of ‘deferrable’ data during high load or peakload periods, peak loads may be reduced and off peak bandwidthutilization may be improved. In one embodiment of the present invention,MS 102 determines whether to defer a transfer of ‘deferrable’ data basedon an overhead message 140 received by the MS from infrastructure 110,which overhead message informs whether a transfer of deferrable data isblocked. In another embodiment of the present invention, MS 102determines whether to defer a transfer of ‘deferrable’ data based on aself-determination of air interface 128 congestion, preferably bydetermining a signal quality metric for a received signal and comparingthe determined metric to a corresponding signal quality metricthreshold. In this case where the MS detects a poor RF environment, theRF costs of initiating the transfer are much larger than they would beif the MS were in a better RF location. For example, if MS 102 is closeto an infrastructure tower for a given transceiver 114, the RF costs orpower required are smaller. Additionally, when the MS is at a givendistance from a nearest infrastructure tower associated with atransceiver 114 and the bandwidth utilization increases, then the powerand RF costs of immediately initiating the data transfer increase. Upondetermining to defer a transfer of ‘deferrable’ data, MS 102 continuesto monitor air interface 128 so that the MS may transfer the‘deferrable’ data when the congestion is alleviated. In order toconserve battery power, MS 102 may intermittently, instead ofcontinuously, monitor air interface 128 or receive messages.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, instead of deferringa transfer of the data, when MS 102 determines that air interface 128 iscongested and that transfers of deferrable data are blocked, the MS maydecide to transfer the data as higher priority data instead of deferringthe data call. For example, MS 102 may decide to transfer the deferrabledata as SO 0×0021 data when the data might otherwise be transferred asSO 0×801B data. Referring now to FIG. 4, a logic flow diagram 400 isprovided that illustrates a provision of deferrable data services bycommunication system 100 in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention. Similar to logic flow diagram 200, logic flow diagram400 begins (402) when MS 102 receives (404) an instruction to transferdeferrable data to or from infrastructure 110. In response to receivingthe instruction, MS 102 determines (406) whether air interface 128 iscongested.

When MS 102 determines (406) that air interface 128 is not congested,for example that a transfer of deferrable data is not blocked or that adetermined signal quality metric compares favorably with a correspondingthreshold, MS 102 generates (408) and conveys (410) to infrastructure110 a request to initiate a deferrable data call. Preferably, therequest comprises a call origination message, preferably a Layer 3 callorigination message that includes a Service Option (SO) data field inwhich MS 102 embeds an SO value, such as SO 0×801B, that informs that adeferrable data call is requested. Upon receiving (412) the request toinitiate a deferrable data call, controller 116 negotiates (414) a setup of a deferrable data call with MS 102 and establishes a deferrabledata connection with MS 102, including an RF link over a forward linktraffic channel 133 if data is being conveyed from infrastructure 110 toMS 102 or over a reverse link traffic channel 138 if data is beingconveyed from MS 102 to infrastructure 110. The call is billed to acustomer associated with MS 102 at a billing rate associated with adeferrable data call. The deferrable data is then transferred (416) byMS 102 to infrastructure 110 or by infrastructure 110 to MS 102 over theestablished deferrable data connection and the logic flow ends (436).

Similar to logic flow diagram 200, in another embodiment of the presentinvention, in order to minimize a loading of air interface 128, MS 102and RAN 112 may further terminate (418) the established RF link nearlyimmediately after conveying the deferrable data. In such an embodiment,upon completion of the transfer of the deferrable data by MS 102 or RAN112, the conveyor 102, 112 of the data starts respective inactivitytimer 109, 122. Upon expiration of a short, predetermined inactivitytime period after completion of the transfer of the deferrable data,that is, expiration of a predetermined time period without receiving orconveying any data, determined by the conveyor's processor 106, 118 withreference to the respective inactivity timer 109, 122, the conveyorinitiates a termination, that is, a tear down, of the established RFlink.

Unlike logic flow diagram 200, in logic flow diagram 400, when MS 102determines (406) that air interface 128 is congested, for example that atransfer of deferrable data is blocked or that a determined signalquality metric compares unfavorably with a corresponding threshold,instead of deferring a transfer of the data, the MS may decide (420) totransfer at least a portion of the deferrable data as higher prioritydata, for example, as SO 0×0021 data, whose transfer is permitted. Inorder to encourage a user of MS 102 to not transfer all deferrable dataas higher priority data and to instead defer a transfer of deferrabledata from a period of congestion to an off load period, communicationsystem 100 may provide economic incentives for an MS to transferdeferrable data as lower priority data. For example, communicationsystem 100 may include a billing system wherein a higher billing rate isassociated with transfers of higher priority data.

Communication system 100 may also implement restrictions that discouragea user of an MS from transferring higher priority data as lowerpriority, deferrable data during off load periods. For example, FIG. 5is a logic flow diagram 500 illustrating a provision, by communicationsystem 100, of restrictions on a transfer of deferrable data inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As depicted bylogic flow diagram 500, communication system 100, preferably controller116 infrastructure 110 although MS 102 may self-impose data transferrestrictions based on information stored in the MS's memory devices 108,restricts (504) a transfer of lower priority data, such as deferrabledata, to a designated time period of multiple designated time periods.Meanwhile, communication system 100, preferably controller 116infrastructure 110, allows (504) a transfer of higher priority dataduring the multiple designated time periods and, in addition, other timeperiods. For example, communication system 100 may not impose any timerestrictions on a transfer of higher priority data. By way of anotherexample, communication system 100 may restrict MS 102 to transferringdeferrable data only at designated times during an hour, which times areknown to both the MS and infrastructure 110 and are maintained (502) intheir respective memory devices 108, 120. Infrastructure 110, preferablyprocessor 118 of controller 116, can then reject requests to transferdeferrable data at times other than the designated times.

When an MS, such as MS 102, determines to transfer lower priority dataat a time other than a designated time period, the MS may have to waitat least until a next designated time before the data may betransferred, that is, the MS 102 may have to defer (508) transferringthe lower priority data until a next designated time period. A benefitof restricting a transfer of deferrable data to designated time periodsduring a day is that off peak traffic that wants to be transferredimmediately will still have to pay the higher cost for the service andthat only genuinely deferrable data will get a lower billing rateassociated with a transfer of such data.

In implementing such time restrictions, communication system 100 mayprovide that billing system 150 can only give a lower rate to transfersthat are initiated at times that are designated in association with theparticular MS. That is, an MS may be assigned designated times duringwhich the MS may transfer lower priority, deferrable data. Thedesignated times are stored in association with an identifier of the MS,such as an IMSI, in a profile of the MS, which profile is stored in anMS database 124 that is included in or operably coupled to controller116 of RAN 112. By implementing a billing scheme whereby a user of an MSis billed for data transfers at a lower, deferrable data rate only whenthe transfers occur during designated times of the day, communicationsystem 100 can bill at the lower rate—for deferrable calls only—withoutimplementing an SO 0×801B data Service Option.

When an MS decides (420) to transfer deferrable data, such as SO 0×801Bdata, as higher priority data, such as SO 0×0021 data, then MS 102generates (422) and conveys (424) to infrastructure 100 a request toinitiate a higher priority data call, for example, an SO 0×0021 datacall. Preferably, the request comprises a call origination message,preferably a Layer 3 call origination message that includes a ServiceOption (SO) data field in which MS 102 embeds an SO value, for example,SO 0×0021, that informs that a higher priority data call is requested.Upon receiving (426) the request to initiate a higher priority datacall, RAN 112 negotiates (428) a set up of a higher priority data callwith MS 102 in accordance with well known call set up procedures andestablishes a higher priority data connection, including an RF link overa forward link traffic channel 133 if data is being conveyed frominfrastructure 110 to MS 102 or over a reverse link traffic channel 138if data is being conveyed from MS 102 to infrastructure 110. At least aportion of the deferrable data is then transferred (430) by MS 102 toinfrastructure 110 or by infrastructure 110 to MS 102 over the higherpriority data connection and communication system 100 charges (434) acustomer associated with the MS a higher billing rate that is associatedwith higher priority data for a transfer of the at least a portion ofthe deferrable data. Logic flow 400 then ends (436). Again, in anotherembodiment of the present invention, in order to minimize a loading ofair interface 128, MS 102 and RAN 112 may further terminate (432) theestablished RF link upon expiration of a short, predetermined inactivityperiod after completion of the transfer of the deferrable data.

For example, suppose MS 102 determines (406) that air interface 128 iscongested and a transfer of deferrable data is not permitted. Further,suppose that, as a result, MS 102 determines to transmit the data ashigher priority data whose transmission is permitted. When MS 102 setsup a data connection with infrastructure 110 for a transfer of the data,the MS informs the infrastructure that this is a higher priority dataconnection as opposed to a deferrable data connection. For example, whenMS 102 sets up a deferrable data connection during non-congested timeperiods, the MS may embed an SO value of 0×801B in a call originationmessage and when MS 102 determines to initiate the deferrable data callas higher priority data during a congested time period, the MS may embedan SO value of 0×0021 in the call origination message. Based on the SOvalue embedded in the call origination message, infrastructure 110 theninforms billing system 150 of the priority of the data or of acorresponding billing rate. Billing system 150 can then appropriatelycharge a customer associated with the MS for the priority of the dataservice provided to the customer.

In order to encourage users of MSs to transfer deferrable data duringoff load periods, communication system 100 may provide pricingdifferentiation for deferrable data calls versus higher priority datacalls on one or more of a variety of bases. For example, a customerassociated with MS 102 may be billed at a higher, ‘normal’ data, billingrate on an ad hoc basis, whenever a user of the MS decides to transferdeferrable data as higher priority data. In one such embodiment, adetermination of an appropriate billing rate may be based on the type ofdata connection established, that is, whether the connection is a‘deferrable’ data connection, for example, an SO 0×801B connection, or a‘normal’ data connection, for example, an SO 0×0021 connection. Inanother such embodiment, the determination of an appropriate billingrate may be based on a quality of service (QoS) requested for the databeing transferred. When the data being conveyed is deferrable data, MS102 may request a lower QoS, which lower QoS corresponds to a lowerbilling rate than a billing rate associated with a higher QoS. Asdescribed in greater detail below, MS 102 may request the lower QoS, inaddition to or instead of using an SO value to identify the connectionas a deferrable data connection, when setting up the data connection.Alternatively, MS 102 may convey QoS messages to RAN 112 during thedeferrable data call over a reverse link traffic channel 138 assigned tothe MS. When infrastructure 110 receives the QoS messages, theinfrastructure provides the corresponding billing information to billingsystem 150. As also described in greater detail below, RAN 112 mayrequest the lower QoS, in addition to or instead of using an SO value,to identify the connection as a deferrable data connection when settingup the data connection. Alternatively, RAN 112 may convey QoS messagesto MS 102 during the deferrable data call over forward link 130.

By way of another example, communication system 100 may provide pricingdifferentiation by providing multiple deferrable data subscriptionpackages. Each package of the multiple subscription packages isassociated with a different price and allows an MS, such as MS 102, totransfer a different quantity of deferrable data when system 100 iscongested. For example, a first, most expensive package may allow the MSto transfer all deferrable data at any level of system congestion. Asecond, less expensive package may allow the MS to transfer onlyseventy-five percent (75%) of the MS's deferrable data when system 100is congested. And a third, even less expensive package may allow the MSto transfer only twenty-five percent (25%) of the MS's deferrable datawhen system 100 is congested. Information concerning the user'ssubscription package may be provisioned to the MS and stored in the MS'smemory devices 108, and the processor 106 of the MS may then determine,by reference to memory devices 108, how much deferrable data may betransferred when the MS determines that air interface 128 is congested.

By providing economic incentives for system users, such as a user of MS102, to defer a transfer of ‘deferrable’ data when air interface 128 iscongested, communication system 100 may leave a determination of whetherto transfer the lower priority data when air interface 128 is congestedup to each user. The user may decide to defer transferring the data, ormay decide to transfer the data as higher priority, and correspondinglyhigher priced, data. Preferably, MS 102 indicates whether a data call isa lower priority data call or a higher priority data call when the MSsets up the call, which priorities may be indicated by a conveyed SOvalue or by a QoS parameter that is described in greater detail below.If the incentives are properly determined, system 100 can still reducecongestion during high load or peak load periods, improve bandwidthutilization, and increase system profitability.

Communication system 100 may further provide for deferrable data callprioritization in order to avoid overloading system 100 with deferrabledata once system congestion is alleviated. In one embodiment ofdeferrable data call prioritization, each package of the multipledeferrable data subscription packages may also provide for aprioritizing of the deferrable data, that is, may provide an amount oftime that an MS must defer transferring deferrable data once systemcongestion is alleviated. For example, the higher the price of thepackage, the higher the package's deferrable data prioritization, thatis, the shorter the deferral period. In another embodiment of deferrabledata prioritization, each MS that has had to defer transferringdeferrable data during a period of system congestion may, uponalleviation of the system congestion, defer transferring the deferrabledata for a period of time that is inversely proportional to a quantityof time that the MS has been waiting to transfer the data. That is, thelonger that the MS has had to delay transferring the deferrable data,the shorter the deferral period before the MS may transfer thedeferrable data after system congestion is alleviated. An algorithmconcerning the deferral period may be stored in the MS's memory devices108 and referenced by the MS's processor 106 in determining a deferralperiod.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, communication system100 may use quality of service (QoS) measurements, instead of a‘deferrable data’ data field, to set up and process a deferrable datacall. FIGS. 6A and 6B depict a logic flow diagram 600 of a process bywhich communication system 100 processes a deferrable data call inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Logic flowdiagram 600 begins (602) when MS 102 receives (604) an instruction totransfer deferrable data to or from infrastructure 110. In response toreceiving the instruction, MS 102 conveys (606) to RAN 112 a request toset up a data call and QoS parameters. The QoS parameters may beincluded in the request or may be conveyed separate from the request.

When MS 102 is setting up a deferrable data call, the MS conveys, to RAN112, a first set of QoS parameters that correspond to a low prioritydata service, such as a non-assured mode call. The QoS parameters may beincluded in a request to set up the call, such as a call originationmessage, or may be included in a subsequent message exchanged betweenthe MS and RAN 112 as part of a negotiation of services, such as aservice negotiation message. Preferably, the QoS parameters are includedin a QoS Block of Bytes (BLOB) in the request or subsequent message. QoSBLOB is well-known in the art and is described in greater detail in theIS-2000 & IS-707 standards. Based upon the QoS parameters, RAN 112,preferably controller 116, determines (608) that the request concerns alow priority data service, such as a deferrable data call, as opposed toan urgent data transfer. RAN 112 further determines (610) whether airinterface 128 is congested.

When air interface 128 is not congested, RAN 112 then sets up (612) adata call and establishes a data connection with MS 102, including an RFlink over a forward link traffic channel 133 if data is being conveyedfrom infrastructure 110 to MS 102 or over a reverse link traffic channel138 if data is being conveyed from MS 102 to infrastructure 110 inaccordance with well-known call set up procedures. The deferrable datais then transferred (614) by MS 102 to RAN 112 or by RAN 112 to MS 102over the established data connection. RAN 112 further informs (616)billing system 150, via support node 126, of the priority of servicebeing provided to MS 102. For example, RAN 112 may simply forward atleast a portion of the QoS BLOB to billing system 150, based upon whichthe billing system may determine that the service provided is a lowpriority service. Billing system 150 can then charge (618) the customerassociated with MS 102 at a lower billing rate associated with the lowpriority data service. Logic flow 600 then ends (646). In addition, whenMS 102 or RAN 112 determines, by reference to a respective inactivitytimer 109, 122, that a short, predetermined inactivity time periodexpires without receiving or conveying any data, the MS or the RAN mayfurther terminate (620) the established RF link nearly immediately, thatis, after expiration of a short inactivity time period after completionof the transfer of the deferrable data.

When air interface 128 is congested, RAN 112 rejects (621) the requestof MS 102 to set up the data call based on the QoS parameters. Uponbeing informed that the request is rejected, MS 102 may defer orterminate attempts to effectuate a transfer of the data or may attemptto transfer the data as higher priority data. In one embodiment of thepresent invention, upon being informed that the request is rejected, theMS informs (622) a user of the MS, via a message in a display screen ofuser interface 104, that the request has been rejected, and the logicflow ends (646). In another embodiment of the present invention, uponrejection of the request, MS 102 defers (626) attempting to transfer thedeferrable data for a period of time that may be predetermined orrandomly determined and then returns to step 506, wherein the MS againconveys, to RAN 112, a request to initiate the low priority data call.After conveying (624) a predetermined number of unsuccessful requests,MS 102 may assume that a low priority data connection cannot beestablished and may terminate (628) attempts to establish a connection.MS 102 may then inform (630) a user of the MS, via a message in adisplay screen of user interface 104, that the request has beenrejected.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, after conveying(624) a predetermined number of unsuccessful requests, instead ofterminating attempts to transfer the data, MS 102 may decide to transferthe deferrable data as higher priority, higher priced data. MS 102generates and conveys (632) to RAN 112 a request to set up a data calland further conveys (634) to the RAN a second set of QoS parameters thatcorrespond to a higher priority data service, such as an assured modecall. Based on the second set of QoS parameters, RAN 112 and MS 102 thennegotiate (636) a set up of a higher priority data call, that is, ahigher QoS data call, and establish a higher priority, that is, a higherQoS, data connection, including a reverse link or forward link RF link133, 138. MS 102 then transfers (638) the deferrable data over thehigher priority data connection.

RAN 112 also informs (640) billing system 150, via support node 126, ofthe higher priority, that is, higher QoS, service being provided to MS102. Billing system 150 may then charge (642) a customer associated withMS 102 at a billing rate associated with the higher priority service,which billing rate is higher than a billing rate associated with thelower priority service. In addition, when MS 102 or RAN 112 determines,by reference to a respective inactivity timer 109, 122, that a short,predetermined inactivity time period expires after completion of thetransfer of the deferrable data, that is, expires without receiving orconveying any data, the MS or the RAN may further initiate a termination(644) of the established RF link nearly immediately after transferringthe deferrable data. Logic flow 600 then ends (646)

By using QoS parameters to establish a priority of a data call and acorresponding billing rate, communication system 100 allows RAN 112 todetermine whether to block a particular call during periods of airinterface 128 congestion and allows MS 102 to transfer deferrable datathat has been blocked as higher priority data without a need for a‘deferrable’ data SO value. The QoS parameters can also be used bycommunication system 100 to determine an appropriate billing rate forthe data transferred by MS 102, again without the need for a‘deferrable’ data SO value.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, communicationsystem 100 may provide for an early termination of a deferrable datacall upon a determination, subsequent to an initiation of the call, thatair interface 128 is congested. FIG. 7 is a logic flow diagram 700 of acommunication system 100 early termination process in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention. Logic flow diagram 700begins (702) when MS 102 engages (704) in a transfer of deferrable datato or from RAN 112 via a first data connection over air interface 128.The deferrable data is data of a first priority, which first priority isassociated with the first data connection and is indicated by MS 102 tothe RAN 112 when the data connection is established. In one embodimentof the present invention, MS 102 informs RAN 112 of the priorityassociated with the first data connection via a request to initiate adata call, such as a call origination message in which the MS embeds anSO value associated with a ‘deferrable’ data call, or during servicenegotiations to set up the call. In another embodiment of the presentinvention, MS 102 informs RAN 112 of the priority associated with thedata connection by conveying, to the RAN, messages that include a firstset of QoS parameters. The first set of QoS parameters correspond to afirst priority, that is, a lower priority, data call such as a‘deferrable data’ call, as opposed to a higher priority data call, suchas a ‘normal’ data call.

During the course of the data call, either RAN 112, preferablycontroller 116, or MS 102 determines (706) that air interface 128 hasbecome congested. Upon determining that air interface 128 is congested,the deferrable data call is terminated (708). In one embodiment of thepresent invention, when RAN 112 determines air interface 128 iscongested, the RAN, preferably controller 116, conveys a message, forexample a traffic channel message such as an SMS/SDB (Short Data Burst)message that is conveyed over a forward link traffic channel 133 or acontrol message conveyed to the MS over a forward link signaling channel132, to MS 102 informing the MS that air interface 128 is congested.Upon receipt of the message, MS 102 terminates the data call byinitiating a termination of the first data connection. In anotherembodiment of the present invention, MS 102 may self-determine that airinterface 128 is congested and terminate the data call by initiating atermination of the first data connection. In addition, MS 102 saves(710) the state of the deferrable data transfer in the MS's memorydevices 108.

In one embodiment of the present invention, after terminating the firstdata connection, MS 102 may defer transferring any remaining, not yettransferred deferrable data until the MS determines that air interface128 is no longer congested. In such an embodiment, after terminating thefirst data connection, MS 102 monitors (712) air interface 128 todetermine (714) if the air interface continues to be congested. In oneembodiment, MS 102 may monitor for congestion by monitoring an airinterface signaling channel 132 for overhead messages 140 that informwhether deferrable data is blocked, as described above in greaterdetail. Based on each received overhead message, MS 102 determineswhether deferrable data continues to be blocked. In another suchembodiment, MS 102 may monitor for congestion by determining signalquality metrics for signals received by the MS over air interface 128,as described above in greater detail. MS 102 then compares eachdetermined signal quality metric to a corresponding signal qualitythreshold. So long as the determined signal quality metric comparesunfavorably with the corresponding threshold, MS 102 may continue toassume that air interface 128 is congested and that transfers ofdeferrable data are blocked.

When MS 102 determines that air interface 128 is no longer congested,the MS establishes (716) a second data connection over air interface128. Preferably, the second data connection is of a same priority, andassociated with a same billing rate, as the first data connection. Uponestablishing the second data connection, MS 102, preferably processor106 with reference to the state saved in memory device 108, thentransfers (718) any remaining, not yet transferred deferrable data to orfrom RAN 112 over the second data connection. The logic flow then ends(720).

In another embodiment of the present invention, after terminating thefirst data connection, instead of deferring a transfer of any remaining,not yet transferred deferrable data, MS 102 may transfer the remainingdeferrable data as higher priority, more expensive data. In such anembodiment, after terminating the first data connection, MS 102establishes (722) a second data connection over air interface 128 thatis associated with data of a second, higher priority. In one suchembodiment, MS 102 may inform RAN 112 of the priority associated withthe second data connection via a request to initiate a data call, suchas a call origination message in which the MS embeds an SO valueassociated with a higher priority data call, such as a ‘normal’ datacall, or during service negotiations to set up the call. In anotherembodiment of the present invention, MS 102 informs RAN 112 of thepriority associated with the data connection by conveying, to the RAN,messages that include a second set of QoS parameters, that is, theparameters corresponding to a higher priority data call, as opposed tothe QoS parameters corresponding to a deferrable data call.

Upon establishing the second, higher priority data connection, MS 102,preferably processor 106 with reference to the state saved in memorydevice 108, then transfers (724) any remaining, not yet transferreddeferrable data to or from RAN 112 over the second data connection. Whenthe remaining deferrable data is transferred over the higher prioritydata connection, communication system 100 charges (726) a customerassociated with the MS for the transfer of such data at a higherpriority data billing rate, as is described above in greater detail. Thelogic flow then ends (720).

By providing for an early termination of a deferrable data call upon adetermination, subsequent to an initiation of the call, that airinterface 128 is congested, communication system 100 is further able toshift lower priority, deferrable data from high load or peak loadperiods, when bandwidth utilization is high, to off load periods whenbandwidth utilization is low. By blocking, or encouraging system usersto defer, a transfer of ‘deferrable’ data during high load or peak loadperiods, peak loads may be reduced and off peak bandwidth utilizationmay be improved. Communication system 100 encourages system users todefer a transfer of ‘deferrable’ data during high load or peak loadperiods by providing incentives for system users not to transferdeferrable, lower priority data as higher priority data during suchperiods, and further provides incentives for users not to transfer highpriority data as less expensive, lower priority data during periods whenthe system is not congested.

An MS, such as MS 102, may determine whether the MS is permitted totransfer lower priority, deferrable data based on a system overheadmessage 140 received by the MS or based on a self-determination by theMS of system congestion. The MS may also attempt to set up a lowpriority call and then be blocked by infrastructure 110 from setting upthe call during a period of congestion. When the MS is blocked fromtransferring deferrable data, the MS may defer a transfer of the data ormay transfer the data as higher priority data. The MS may indicate thelatter via an SO value or one or more QoS parameters conveyed toinfrastructure 110 when setting up the call. Based on the received SOvalue or one or more QoS parameters, infrastructure 110 is then able todetermine an appropriate billing rate for the call. Infrastructure 110may also determine an appropriate billing rate based on a time period,such as a time during an hour, during which data is transferred withouta need to use an SO value or a QoS parameter.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to particular embodiments thereof, it will be understoodby those skilled in the art that various changes may be made andequivalents substituted for elements thereof without departing from thescope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly,the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrativerather then a restrictive sense, and all such changes and substitutionsare intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have beendescribed above with regard to specific embodiments. However, thebenefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that maycause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become morepronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essentialfeature or element of any or all the claims. As used herein, the terms“comprises,” “comprising,” or any variation thereof, are intended tocover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article,or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include onlythose elements but may include other elements not expressly listed orinherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. It is furtherunderstood that the use of relational terms, if any, such as first andsecond, top and bottom, and the like are used solely to distinguish oneentity or action from another entity or action without necessarilyrequiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between suchentities or actions.

1. A method for transferring deferrable data in a wireless communicationsystem comprising: receiving an instruction to transfer deferrable data;determining whether an air interface is congested; and when the airinterface is congested, deferring a transfer of the deferrable data. 2.The method of claim 1, further comprising: subsequent to deferring thetransfer of the deferrable data, determining that the air interface isnot congested; and in response to determining that the air interface isnot congested, transferring the deferrable data.
 3. The method of claim2, wherein transferring comprises: in response to determining that theair interface is not congested, determining a deferral time periodduring which a transfer of deferrable data is further deferred; and uponexpiration of the deferrable time period, transferring the deferrabledata.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein a length of the deferral timeperiod is inversely proportional to a quantity of time that a transferof the deferrable data is deferred while the air interface is congested.5. The method of claim 3, wherein a length of the deferral time periodis determined based on a subscription package subscribed to by acustomer associated with the deferrable data.
 6. The method of claim 2,wherein transferring comprises establishing a data connection andtransferring the deferrable data over the data connection and whereinthe method further comprises: upon completion of the transfer of thedeferrable data, starting an inactivity timer; and upon expiration of aninactivity time period, terminating the data connection.
 7. The methodof claim 1, wherein the deferrable data is associated with a deferrabledata service and a corresponding Service Option value.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the deferrable data is associated with a plurality ofQuality of Service (QoS) parameters.
 9. The method of claim 1, whereindetermining comprises receiving a signaling message having an AccessControl based on Call Type (ACCT) value that informs whether transfer ofdeferrable data is permitted and wherein deferring comprisesdetermining, based on the received signaling message, not to transferthe deferrable data.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein determiningcomprises determining that the air interface is congested based on asignal quality metric.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the signalquality metric comprises a first signal quality metric, wherein thefirst signal quality metric is determined based on a first signalreceived from a wireless infrastructure, and wherein the method furthercomprises: when the air interface is congested, monitoring for signalsfrom the wireless infrastructure; receiving a second signal from thewireless infrastructure; determining a second signal quality metricbased on a second signal received from the wireless infrastructure; andtransferring the deferrable data in response to the determination of thesecond signal quality metric.
 12. The method of claim 1, whereindetermining comprises receiving a signaling message informing whetherdeferrable data can be transferred.
 13. The method of claim 12, whereinthe signaling message comprises a first signaling message, wherein thefirst signaling message is received over a signaling channel, andwherein the method further comprises: when the air interface iscongested, monitoring the signaling channel; receiving a secondsignaling message over the signaling channel; and when the secondsignaling message informs that deferrable data can be transferred,transferring the deferrable data
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein thesignaling message comprises a first signaling message and whereindeferring comprises: suspending reception of messages from aninfrastructure; resuming reception of messages from the infrastructurein order to receive a second signaling message; and when the secondsignaling message indicates that deferrable data can be transferred,transferring the deferrable data.
 15. The method of claim 14, whereineach of the first signaling message and the second signaling messagecomprises an overhead message.
 16. The method of claim 1, whereindeferring comprises, when the air interface is congested, allowing atransfer of only a portion of the deferrable data.
 17. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the portion of the deferrable data transferred whenthe air interface is congested is determined based on a subscriptionpackage of a plurality of subscription packages subscribed to by acustomer associated with the deferrable data.
 18. The method of claim17, wherein each subscription package of the plurality of subscriptionpackages is associated with a different price than the othersubscription packages of the plurality of subscription packages
 19. Amethod for transferring deferrable data in a wireless communicationsystem, the method comprising: receiving an instruction to transferdeferrable data, wherein the deferrable data is data of a firstpriority; determining that an air interface is congested; and inresponse to determining that the air interface is congested,transferring the deferrable data as data of a second priority .
 20. Themethod of claim 19, wherein the deferrable data is associated with afirst Service Option value and wherein transferring comprisestransferring the deferrable data as in association with a second ServiceOption value.
 21. The method of claim 19, further comprising: setting upa call associated with data of the second priority ; and charging acustomer associated with the deferrable data at a billing rateassociated with data of the second priority .
 22. The method of claim21, wherein setting up a call comprises establishing a data connectionand wherein the method further comprises: upon completion of thetransfer of the deferrable data, starting an inactivity timer; and uponexpiration of an inactivity time period, terminating the dataconnection.
 23. The method of claim 19, wherein data of the firstpriority is associated with a first at least one Quality of Service(QoS) parameter, wherein data of the second priority is associated witha second at least one QoS parameter, and wherein transferring thedeferrable data comprises transferring the deferrable data inassociation with the second at least one QoS parameter.
 24. The methodof claim 23, wherein the first at least one QoS parameter is associatedwith a first billing rate and the second at least one QoS parameter isassociated with a second billing rate and wherein the method furthercomprises, when the deferrable data is transferred in association withthe second at least one QoS parameter, charging a customer associatedwith the deferrable data based on the second billing rate.
 25. A methodfor transferring deferrable data in a wireless communication systemcomprising: engaging in a call involving a mobile station and a transferof deferrable data via a first data connection over an air interface;determining that the air interface is congested; in response todetermining that the air interface is congested, terminating the call;saving a state of a partially completed deferred data transfer in themobile station; subsequent to terminating the call, establishing asecond data connection over the air interface; and transferring anyremaining, not yet transferred deferrable data over the second dataconnection.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein establishing a seconddata connection comprises: subsequent to terminating the call,determining that the air interface is not congested; and in response todetermining that the air interface is not congested, establishing asecond data connection over the air interface.
 27. The method of claim25, wherein the deferrable data is data of a first priority and whereinestablishing a second data connection comprises establishing a seconddata connection that is associated with data of a second priority,wherein the second priority is a higher priority than the firstpriority.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the data of the firstpriority is associated with a first Service Option value and data of thesecond priority data is associated with a second Service Option value.29. The method of claim 27, wherein the first data connection isassociated with a first at least one Quality of Service (QoS) parametersand the second data connection is associated with a second at least oneQoS parameter.
 30. The method of claim 27, further comprising charging acustomer associated with the mobile station for the transfer of dataover the second data connection at a billing rate associated with thehigher priority data.
 31. A mobile station capable of transferringdeferrable data in a wireless communication system comprising: at leastone memory device capable of storing deferrable data; a processorassociated with the at least one memory device that receives aninstruction to transfer deferrable data, determines whether an airinterface is congested, defers a transfer of the deferrable data whenthe air interface is congested, and transfers the deferrable data whenthe air interface is not congested.
 32. The mobile station of claim 31,wherein the processor, subsequent to determining that the air interfaceis congested and deferring transfer of the deferrable data, determinesthat the air interface is not congested and transfers the deferrabledata.
 33. The mobile station of claim 32, wherein the processor, inresponse to determining that the air interface is not congested,determines a deferral time period during which a transfer of deferrabledata is further deferred and, upon expiration of the deferrable timeperiod, transfers the deferrable data.
 34. The mobile station of claim33, wherein a length of the deferral time period is inverselyproportional to a quantity of time that a transfer of the deferrabledata is deferred while the air interface is congested.
 35. The methodmobile station of claim 33, wherein a length of the deferral time periodis determined based on a subscription package subscribed to by acustomer associated with the deferrable data.
 36. The mobile station ofclaim 31, wherein the processor transfers the deferrable data byestablishing a data connection with an infrastructure and transferringthe deferrable data over the established data connection, wherein themobile station further includes an inactivity timer associated with theprocessor, and wherein the processor further starts the inactivity timerupon completing the transfer of the deferrable data and, upon expirationof an inactivity time period, terminates the data connection.
 37. Themobile station of claim 31, wherein the deferrable data is associatedwith a deferrable data service and a corresponding a Service Optionvalue, wherein the Service Option value is maintained in the at leastone memory device, and wherein the processor determines whether an airinterface is congested based on information received denying permissionto transfer data associated with the Service Option value.
 38. Themobile station of claim 31, wherein the at least one memory devicestores a plurality of Quality of Service (QoS) parameters, wherein thedeferrable data is associated with at least one QoS parameter of theplurality of QoS parameters, and wherein the processor transfers thedeferrable data in association with the at least one QoS parameter. 39.The mobile station of claim 31, wherein the processor determines whetherdeferrable data may be transferred based on a signaling message havingan Access Control based on Call Type (ACCT) value that informs whethertransfer of deferrable data is permitted, and wherein the processordetermines, based on the signaling message, whether to transfer thedeferrable data.
 40. The mobile station of claim 31, wherein theprocessor determines whether an air interface is congested bydetermining a signal quality metric and further determining that theinterface is congested based on the signal quality metric.
 41. Themobile station of claim 40, wherein the signal quality metric comprisesa first signal quality metric, wherein the first signal quality metricis determined based on a first signal received from an infrastructure,and wherein processor, when the air interface is congested, monitorssignals received from the infrastructure, receives a second signal fromthe infrastructure, determines a second signal quality metric based on asecond signal received from the infrastructure, and transfers thedeferrable data in response to the determination of the second signalquality metric.
 42. The mobile station of claim 31, wherein theprocessor determines whether an air interface is congested based on asignaling message informing whether deferrable data can be transferred.43. The mobile station of claim 42, wherein the signaling messagecomprises a first signaling message, wherein the first signaling messageis received over a signaling channel, and wherein the processor, whenthe air interface is congested, monitors the signaling channel, receivesa second signaling message over the signaling channel, and when thesecond signaling message informs that deferrable data can betransferred, transfers the deferrable data.
 44. The mobile station ofclaim 42, wherein the signaling message comprises a first signalingmessage and wherein the processor, upon determining that the firstsignaling message denies permission to transfer deferrable data,suspends reception of signaling messages, resumes receiving signalingmessages in order to receive a second signaling message, and when thesecond signaling message indicates that deferrable data can betransferred, transfers the deferrable data.
 45. The mobile station ofclaim 44, wherein each of the first signaling message and the secondsignaling message comprises an overhead message.
 46. A mobile stationcapable of transferring deferrable data in a wireless communicationsystem comprising: at least one memory device that stores deferrabledata; a processor associated with the at least one memory device thatreceives an instruction to transfer deferrable data, wherein thedeferrable data is data of a first priority, determines that an airinterface is congested, and, in response to determining that the airinterface is congested, transfers the deferrable data as data of asecond priority.
 47. The mobile station of claim 46, wherein the data ofthe first priority is associated with a first Service Option value, thedata of the second priority is associated with a second Service Optionvalue, and the processor transfers the deferrable data as dataassociated with the second Service Option value.
 48. The mobile stationof claim 46, wherein the processor further establishes a data connectionassociated with data of the second priority, transfers the deferrabledata over the data connection, upon completion of the transfer of thedeferrable data, starts an inactivity timer, and, upon expiration of aninactivity time period, terminates the data connection.
 49. The mobilestation of claim 46, wherein the at least one memory device stores aplurality of Quality of Service (QoS) parameters, wherein data of thefirst priority is associated with a first of at least one QoS parameterof the plurality of QoS parameters, wherein data of the second priorityis associated with a second of at least one QoS parameter of theplurality of QoS parameters, and wherein the processor transfers thedeferrable data in association with the second at least one QoSparameter.
 50. A mobile station capable of transferring deferrable datain a wireless communication system comprising: at least one memorydevice capable of storing deferrable data; and a processor associatedwith the at least one memory device, wherein the processor is capable ofestablishing a first data connection over an air interface, engaging ina call involving a transfer of the deferrable data via the first dataconnection, determining that the air interface is congested, in responseto determining that the air interface is congested, terminating thecall, storing a state of a partially completed transfer in the mobilestation in the at least one memory device, subsequent to terminating thecall, establishing a second data connection over the air interface, andtransferring any remaining, not yet transferred deferrable data over thesecond data connection.
 51. The mobile station of claim 50, wherein theprocessor establishes a second data connection by, subsequent toterminating the call, determining that the air interface is notcongested and, in response to determining that the air interface is notcongested, establishing a second data connection over the air interface.52. The mobile station of claim 50, wherein the deferrable data is afirst priority data and wherein the processor establishes a second dataconnection by establishing a second data connection that is associatedwith data of a second priority data, wherein the second priority is ahigher priority than the first priority.
 53. The mobile station of claim52, wherein the at least one memory device stores a plurality of ServiceOption values, wherein data of the first priority is associated with afirst Service Option value of the plurality of Service Option values,and wherein data of the second priority is associated with a secondService Option value of the plurality of Service Option values.
 54. Themobile station of claim 52, wherein the at least one memory devicestores a plurality of Quality of Service (QoS) parameters, wherein thefirst data connection is associated with a first at least one QoSparameter of the plurality of QoS parameters, and wherein the seconddata connection is associated with a second at least one QoS parameterof the plurality of QoS parameters.
 55. An apparatus for transferringdeferrable data in a wireless communication system, the apparatuscomprising a controller in a radio access network having: at least onememory device that stores instructions on assembling an overhead messagehaving a deferrable data permission data field; and a processorassociated with the at least one memory device that assembles theoverhead message, embeds data in the deferrable data permission datafield that informs whether transfer of deferrable data is permitted, andconveys the overhead message to a mobile station.
 56. The apparatus ofclaim 55, further comprising a support node in communication with thecontroller, wherein the deferrable data is data of a first priority,wherein the controller establishes a data connection that is associatedwith data of a second priority and that is used to transfer thedeferrable data, wherein the controller conveys information to thesupport node indicating that the data transferred over the dataconnection is data of the second priority.
 57. The apparatus of claim56, wherein the support node provides billing information indicatingthat the data transferred over the data connection is associated with abilling rate corresponding to data of the second priority.
 58. A methodfor transferring data in a wireless communication system, wherein thedata comprises a higher priority data and a lower priority data andwherein the method comprises: restricting a transfer of the lowerpriority data to a plurality of designated time periods; and allowing atransfer of the higher priority data during the designated time periodsand other time periods.
 59. The method of claim 58, further comprisingmaintaining a record of the plurality of designated time periods. 60.The method of claim 58, wherein restricting comprises rejecting requeststo transfer the lower priority data during time periods other than theplurality of designated time periods.
 61. The method of claim 58,further comprising, upon determining, during a time period other than adesignated time period, to transfer lower priority data, deferring atransfer of the lower priority data until a next designated time periodof the plurality of designated time periods.
 62. The method of claim 58,wherein the lower priority data is associated with a first billing rateand the higher priority data is associated with a second billing rateand wherein restricting comprises charging a customer associated withthe lower priority data at the second billing rate when the lowerpriority data is transferred during a time period other than adesignated time period.
 63. The method of claim 58, wherein the lowerpriority data is associated with a first billing rate and the higherpriority data is associated with a second billing rate and whereinrestricting comprises: charging a customer the first billing rate for adata transfer when data is transferred during a designated time periodof the plurality of designated time periods; and charging a customer thesecond billing rate for a data transfer when data is transferred duringa time period other than a designated time period of the plurality ofdesignated time periods.